Clothes-washing machine



y 1952 c. D. HARRELL 2,597,793

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET l gig INVENTOR.

0/17/2456 0. Hfi/FAELL,

M y 1952 c. D. HARRELL 2,597,793

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed May 19, 1947 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Patented May 20, 1952 UNITED STATES sa -i? OLGTH E-S -WVKSHING 'MAGHINE CharlesJJaHarrell, Knoxville; Tenn. A iiflicationivlayia 1947, "Seriai NerMaG-IW This invention relates to improvements in washing machines; and more p'arti'eularlyto the type of washing machines owes or fabrics are adapted to lee-washedby fluid-action without meclianiealagitation.

Mostw'ashing mach-ines' as' u'sed heretofore have: required-the action ofanagitator'for 'rnoving the-- clothes through the water with suflieient foree andaction to accomplish a washing of -the clothes.

This-is objectionable beeause of the" comiile'i'ci'ty of the structure required and the incidental cost involved; an'd also beeau'se-tlieaetion of anagi-- tatoron -the*c1otlies tends tot'ear and dar nage the clothes wherehy sheerfabrics; silks, nylons; eta, ordinarily are not'vvashed in such machines;

accomplish thecireulation or movement of=the clothes, as proposed heretofore, have not been satisfactory becauseof 1 the' lack" of an effective Washingactionobtained therebyf This has' beerrj determined by 'thetr-iaFand testing of-*"numeroustype's of fluid action= devices in'-'an efiort-fto oh--- min s pra tical' washing, machine which runetions ac'cording to fluidiaction.

An object of this invention-is ttvimprove the construction of washingmachines; 'to provide a practiealand effective washing action' without moving-parts or agitating meanS- -being'op'erated" in' the tub" of the machine-, and yet securing" an" effeetivewas'hi'r'igaction'.

Another object" of the- --invention isflto improve the manner" of'washing'" clothes by fluid circulation-or: pneumatic action iinpai'ted te the body of water: i'nx-the tub of the machine in such relation thereto as to' cause a continual turning over of the'elothes witliin the water in an effectivewas'mingv action;-

Another object of the invention is-to- -circulate air or other gaseousfluid into and through the tublto accomplish" an effectivewashing action of Y the'clothe's; and i'n'd ischarg'ing the -air therefrom; to preveht-the carrying off of the'soap and Water with? the air 'b'ut totrap "the latter so' as to allowthe effective remaseef the air-Without smashing:

crane-wanes out of theme Still another obj ect of Lthe invention is to pro=- vide: a pra'ctical and inexpensive 'portable ing machine that" may be i manufactured at low cost-and-of lightweight, and.- yet isefiective' for obtaii'iing' a washing action on'the clothes con tainedLJ-therein; which machine may utilize as" apower unit the action of a vacuum cleaner-or otherblower "fan which will supply air to I the maehine under sufii'cient' vel'o'cityto obtainanef fectivewasli-ingaction:

25.; in: the stub;

ll-Claims: (o1. es -ass) e 2% v i 7 These objects mayrbe accomplishemaecordi-fig; to one emhotliment or the invention; ,bm'providing; a tub: having: means. for: supialying'iair thereto;

suchas a;vconnection1fori'a;blower-danimounted;

either beneath :the tub; or: as an". auxiliary atetachment; in": which latter t event: the fan: may? be provided by a? vacuumiolean'en' The: air. on. other gaseous fluid used as the pneumaticzpower; means I is di'rectedi into the bottom. of-iztlies t't'ib through. one or im'ore: noz'zlessprovided' therein; in.

such relation tothe; walLofx'theztub;asitomreate; a eirculatiomin the:v bOdyliOf Water and; axcons tinuousaturnings overrofi th'e -ringmf clothes- 11i a; toroidal manner which will; accomplish anxieftfective washing iactionh The air; on other: gaseous fluid is: directe'drinto; the bottom'sofi the tub. Provisioii'iamadetfonres leasing thes air: from the topzthereof, but without; splashing outi: ofilthei water iori soap thatx may 'b'e" baffie means connected with the topmortion otthei tub orthezcover, thereof Whichzwillbreakiupzsbap' bubbles tozpreventz. these: from beingzfioatedi out. with the air or the splashing of water fromiwith'e- One embodiment;oftthejnventiondsaillustrated:

generally? in: the accompanying-' drawings:- in:

which: 7

Fig: 1 is atp'erspectivelview of thezwashingwztubj 30 shown a-sconnected :with a vacuum icleanerrpower;

machine-maybe" emb odied-in alarger form for household use and may' be"OfothersiZesend" shapes as found desirable.

Inthis form the machine comprises an outer casing" generally designated-i by the n'ui'r'lera'llv I which is "shown as mounted: upon roller casters; generally in'dicated*'at'-= Zi'oi merin ue-machine; about on-the floor or other surface Where-the Washing action maybe desired.

Mounted within the casing I is a tub 3 adapted to contain the washing fluid, such as water and soap. This tub 3 is shown as round in shape, although it may be square or of other shape as desired. The tub 3 is shown as spaced from the casing I a sufficient distance to accommodate insulating means 4 therebetween as found desirable or necessary. The tub 3 may be mounted in any suitable manner within the casing I and in the form illustrated, a rim 5 connects the tub with the casing at the upper end thereof.

The tub 3 is adapted to contain the washing fluid which may be hot water poured into the tub and provided with suitable soap or other chemicals as needed. Where the capacity of the I machine is not very large, the heat will be retained a suflicient length of time to accomplish v the washing action, but if necessary, a suitable heater may be provided especially in the later capacity machine for applying heat to the washing fluid during the washing action. This heater is indicated generally at 6 in Figs. 3 and 4 and is shown to be in the form of heating coils mounted beneath the bottom of the tub 3. These heatin coils are shown as connected with a socket I at one side of the casing I adapted to receive anelectric connection for energizing the coils to heat the washing fluid.

Provision is made for agitating the washing fluid by pneumatic means, to create a toroidal circulation of the fluid in the tub. In this form of the invention'pneumatic action is accomplished by nozzles 8, two-of which are shown spaced on opposite sides of the center of the tub. These nozzles should be spaced suficiently from the inner wall of the tub to direct the force of air discharged therefrom upwardly in the water at a point which will act on the clothes to create a rolling over of the body of clothes in a toroidal action, while the body of clothesfloats in the water substantially in a ring. This will cause a continual turning over of the ring of clothes in a manner that will accomplish an effective washing action.

The fluid nozzles 8 are shown as connected with a cross pipe 9 which in turn is connected with a supply pipe II] that extends to a point externally of the machine, in the form illustrated, or to a suitable'source of air supply, which may be mounted in the bottom of the casing if desired. In the form illustrated, the pipe I0 is shown as having a hose connection II extending therefrom to a vacuum cleaner motor unit generally indicated at I2. Such a motor unit utilizes a centrifugal blower fan which acts on one side thereof to suck in air and since it is an ordinary centrifugal blower fan, the air may be directed through the hose II and pipes I0 and 9 to the nozzles 8. Any suitable source of air supply may be used as found desirable, but it has been found from experience and tests of this invention that a source of compressed air is not very satisfactory because of the high pressure usually acting on the air, which is not required nor desired. A centrifugal fan of the character used in vacuum cleaner motor units has been found most satisfactory for ordinary sizes of Washing machines and suflicient for accomplishing an effective washing action.

The machine is closed by a cover generally indicated at l3 which is shown as having a handle l4 thereon for manipulating the cover. The cover [3 is adapted to be secured tightly on the casing I by suitable catches such as toggle clamps indicated at [5.

The cover I3 is of dome shape and has air outlet oriflce It in the top thereof for discharge of air from within the cover. A cover plate I! extends transversely of the lower portion of the cover I3 over the top of the tub 3 to be seated thereon. It is preferred that the cover l3 be sealed substantially air or water-tight upon the top of the tub to prevent splashing of the water therefrom or accidental leakage which would be undesirable. I have found that this may be accomplished by the provision of a soft rubber gasket shown at I8 interposed between the rim 5 and the cover plate H, which gasket will accomplish an effective sealing of the top of the tub when the cover is drawn down tightly thereon by the toggle clamps l5.

The air may be discharged through the cover plate I! and the orifice I6 in the cover, but without discharging the soap from within the tub, by baflie means provided in the cover that will be effective for breaking up the soap bubbles to allow free escape of the air without carrying out the water and soap therewith.

In the form illustrated, this bafile means is shown as formed by cups attached to thecover plate I'I. These cups are designated generally at I9 and 20 respectively, the cup 20 also serving as a trap.

The cup I9 is substantially of frusto-conical shape with a surrounding rim 2| on the lower end thereof while the upper end is closed. This cup I9 is inserted through an opening in the center of the cover, plate I! and retained inplace therein in any suitable manner, as .by friction fit, welding or the like if found necessary. The surroundingwall of the cup I9 is slit vertically at a plurality of points, as indicated at 22 in Fig. 6, and the lateral portions thereof bend inward to form indentations 23, which leave tangential openings into the cup through which the air may be discharged. The shape of thes indentations is such that air may be discharged from within the tub but the edges of the openings will tend to break up any soap bubbles that would be carried out with the air.

'I'he'air discharged from the cup I9 is admitted to the interior of the cup 20 which is substantially annular in form, with an inturned neck 24, which forms a trap, as a further means for preventing the escape of fluid or soap with the air. The open end of the neck 24 is covered by a screen 25 extendingthereover, as a further means of preventing the escape of the liquid or soap that may be carried into the trap 29.

The operation of the machine will be obvious from the foregoing description. Upon removal of the cover I3, the tub 3 is filled, preferably about three-fourths full with hot water, into which a small quantity of powdered soap usually is placed Any suitable or desired washing fluid may be used as customary. The clothes then are placed in the water and ordinarily float therein in the form of a ring. Upon replacement of the cover I3 thereover and the sealing of this cover by the gasket I8 and clamps IS, the machine is ready for operation. Upon operation of the blower I2, air will be forced through the supply pipes I0 and 9 and discharged at the nozzles 8 in the bottom of the tub. These nozzles need not be of high velocity type, because it is preferred that only moderate pressure be applied to the air, which, with the placement of the nozzle or nozzles spaced laterally from the center of the tub and spaced inwardly from the periphery of the tub wall, will direct the air upassesses wardly in the iporti'on;offiitheebodyfotiwater and it will act'on the outer rim of ,the ring of clothes, causing a continual turning over'of the clothes in atoroidal action. Consequently, a plurality of nozzles preferably spaced symmetrically withrespectto the tub' to actuniformly ohthe rings offclothes and causing the-=-turning over or toroidal action" which is effective for accomplish? m the'wasning'action.

T e."air' 'vv'i1-1 be discharged through the top of ,1 the" tub,. through" the orifices 1-22-23 formed taifigeiiti'allli' tli surrounding? Wall Of the t9} into a d' th'i'fiiigli' the trap, 26, beingv dis;- cldai'ed fiiilii melatter' thioll h'the neck 24 and the orificel 6 out of the .cover i3. The action of one orboth of the cups i9 and will be effective to permit the=- free=escape of them-irfr'oh'i tlfe top ofthe tub without splashing" outof' liquid or soap or the carrying off of the soap with the air. It has been found from experience and from tests made with this machine that I any soap bubbles accumulating in the top of the tub will be broken up and will not be carried out with the 'air. Any liquid that does go through the cup IS with the air will be trapped in the cup 20 and will drain out through the orifices 22 back into the tub. If desirable, an additional filtering element may be providedin the cup 20 such as the placement of steel wool therein although this has not been found necessary with the machines subjected to tests.

The water may be removed from the tub 3 either by pouring it out when the tub is of small capacity or a separate drain faucet as indicated at 26 in Fig. 1 may be provided at one side of the casing adjacent the bottom of the tub and connected with the latter through a screened opening for draining off the washing fluid.

A rinsing action may be accomplished in like manner in plain water without soap. The air will accomplish an effective turning over of the clothes, moving them through the water substantially as described.

It has been found from tests made with this machine that it is effective for accomplishing a washing action of the clothes even without the use of an agitator or gears customarily required for most washing machines, and yet even the sheerest fabrics may be washed therein because there are no moving parts that would tear or damage the clothes. The gentle washing action is effective, as created by the air or pneumatic fluid acting in the water substantially as described.

This construction also simplifies the structure of the unit, enabling it to be manufactured and sold at low cost. It is also possible for the machine to be built of relatively small sizes so as to be readily portable, in which latter event it may be operated from the motor unit of a household vacuum cleaner usually available, or serve as an attachment for the vacuum cleaner, although it is not limited to that operating means. A centrifugal blower or other fan may be built into the machine beneath the tub, if desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention except as specified in the claims.

I claim:

1. A washing'machine comprising a tub adapted to contain a body of water to receive clothes therein for washing action, a cover mounted on the top of the tub and closing the same, means ousttolthezsurrounding: sidz wall. oieisaid tiih'zfons' :.stricted5si-2e .toz'pe'rniitcthe escape: of air and t dir'ectings air; under fpressure i upwardly innthee lowersportiorioftthertub'gat a1point'spaced laterallyi' from the'a-icenterrof thettubiitoicreateca rtoroidakcirculation: athe-waiteriupwardlagainstithe sur roundingrs'ide -wall andi downwardszint; the? center; meains'imountedron the cover-and 'surrounding the; openingztherein'aforipreventing theiescap'e of'soap bubblesthrou'gh th'etop opening, said means com prising a .-:cup having? circumferentiaily'"spacedl open-ing'srin:tlfeisurroundingzsideithereofioficone* causeztheebreakingeup'of:soap bubblesyandta sec ondiioup mountedions:top-of the cover -sui' und ing the first-mentioned cup and formingp for .r'eceiviiigianyiiquid-fpassing through the first- -.mentioned cup, said second-mentioned cup having a dischargeopening with a screen cover thereover topermit the escape of airtherethrough.

2. In a washing machine including-atub'adapted to contain a body of soapy Water therein to receive clothes for washing action, fluid supply means for creating pneumatic action in the water for causing a washing action on the clothes, said tub having a discharge opening in the top portion thereof, a closure for said top opening, and means for preventing the escape of soap bubbles through said closure, said last-mentioned means comprising a cup having circumferentially spaced openings in the surrounding sides thereof and deflecting vanes partially covering said opening to permit the escape of air and constructed to break up soap bubbles, said cup being mounted in said closure, and a second cup mounted on top of the closure and surrounding said first-mentioned cup and forming a trap for any liquid passing therethrough, said second cup having a discharge opening to permit the escape of air.

'3. In a washing machine, a tub adapted to contain a washing fluid and to receive clothes therein for washing action, a cover for closing the top of the tub to confine the liquid therein and having an air discharge opening centrally located therein, a cup mounted in said opening, said cup having circumferentially spaced slits in the side wall thereof, the side wall adjacent one side of each of said slits being bent inwardly to form an opening with said slit which causes fluid to leave the cup in a direction tangent to the surrounding wall thereof, a second cup mounted on top of said lid and surrounding the first-mentioned cup, the side Walls of said cups being in spaced relation to each other, the last-mentioned cup having the side walls inturned at one end to form a neck with an opening therein, a screen over the opening in said neck, a fiat imperforate bottom in said tub, a pair of nozzles mounted in diametrically opposite sides of and extending through said bottom, said nozzles being located contiguous to the surrounding mm of said tub and in position to direct an upward jet of air through the fluid contiguous to said wall causing thereby a continual toroidal turning over of the clothes inthe liquid, and means connected with said nozzles and mounted on the surrounding wall of said tub adapted to be connected to a supply of fluid for supplying fluid under pressure to said nozzles.

4. A washing machine comprising a casing having a tub therein adapted to contain a washing fluid and to receive clothes therein for washing action, means for creating a circulation of the fluid in the clothes for causing said washing action, said tub having an open top, a cover detachably mounted on the open top, and means for.v

first mentioned cup and having a discharge opening for the air from the openings of the first mentioned, cup, a screen over said last mentioned opening, and means in the cover for discharging the air from the second mentioned cup to the atmosphere.

CHARLES D.-HARRELL.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number REFERENCES CITED Name Date Kolb Mar. 31, 1874 Forsee July 2, 1918 Emerson Sept. 14, 1926 Scofield Mar. 24, 1931 McDonald Apr. 5, 1932 'Magnus Feb. 21, 1933 Case Sept. 19, 1933 Green Feb. 27, 1934 Ellis Aug. 18, 1936 Lorenzen May 21, 1940 Partridge June 4, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany June 13, 19 38 

